Pattern control means for knitting machines



April zo, 194s. T, R, RYA'N 2,439,990

PATTERN CONTROL MEANS FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filedpec. 8, 1943 6 sheets-sheet 1 'y J i m By @www man. WWW# ApriI 2o, 194s. T R, RYAN 2,439,990

PATTERN CONTROL MEANS FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 8, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 In ventor 75%@500 @wv/v Attorneys Apri 29, w99 T. R, RYAN 2,439,990

PATTERN CONTROL MEANS FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Deo. s, 1945 6 sheets-sheet 3 Inventar 40 72m @END ,gy/7N By M WWW April 20, 1948. T. R. RYAN 2,439,990

PATTERN coNTEoIJ MEANS EOE KNTTTING MACHINES Filed Deo. 8, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 65 9 y 65V I @I Inventor 9' E 743 8 7,-0/4 ,Q5-A70 @W7/V April 20, 1948. T R, RYAN 2,439,990

PATTERN CONTROL MEANS FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 8, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 l 111 'erztor T. R. 4RYAN pril 20, 1948.

PATTERN CONTROL MEANS FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Dvec. 8, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 1 Inuenlqr TOM @Epo ,Q y/M/ b NQ W Wm@ Patented Apr. 20, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT-formes PATTERN 'OR I v I KNITTING MACHINE Tom Read Ryan, Trenton, Ga. i I Application December s, 194s, serial No. 513,40'7 .p

My invention relates to improvements in full- Y fashioned hosiery knitting machines, more particularly of the Reading single-unit type of commerce.

-Among the important objects [of my invention is Ato equip such machines with improved auxiliary mechanism for predetermining knitting of differcourses to be run and the size to be produced.

' Other and subordinate objects are also comprehended by my invention, all of which, together with the precise nature of my improvements, will be readily understood when the succeeding description and claims are read with reference to the drawings accompanying and forming part of this speciiicaton.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary View in front elevation of a portion of a full-fashioned hosiery knitting machine of the type above designated equipped according to my invention,

Figure 2 is a view in top plan,

. .Figure 3 is a view in top plan of the dog carrier, parts carried thereby and the counter and narrowing control rods drawn to an enlarged scale, Figure 4 is a view in rear elevation of the same,

' Figure 5 is a View in front elevation of said carrier, rods, and parts on the carrier,

Figure 6 is a view in front end elevation of the same,

' Figure 7 is a view in longitudinal section taken on the line 'I-'I 'of Figure 6,

Figure 8 is a view in transverse section taken 1 on the line 3-8 of Figure 5,

Figure 9 is a view in side elevation of the size selector dial wheel and the size selector shaft.

Figure 10 is a view in end elevation of the same, Figure 11 is a fragmentary view in plan of the pattern chain, parts of the chain drive, and drive disabling means, the shogging truck, the truck locking yoke, and parts associated therewith,

Figure 12 is a detail view in front elevation ,with parts shown in section ofthe chain driving ratchet wheel, pawl, and the tappet arm on the narrowing control rod, Y

4 claims. (ci. ssl-15,5)

Figure 13-is a view in perspective of the driving pawl for the ratchet Wheel of the chain drive,

Figure` 14 is-a fragmentary view in plan of the pattern chain,

Figure 15 is a view in transverse section taken on the line I5-I5 of Figure 14 and showing one of the control buttons, and

Figure 16 is a similar view of a modied form `of control button. l0

Figure I'I is a detail view of the operating pawl for the course counter and the detent means therefor. Y Referring to the drawings by numerals, the type rof knitting machine, hereinbefore designated, and with which my invention is more particularly concerned, has been shown in part only as suiiicient to a proper understanding of my invention. Referring now to Figures 1, 2 and 11, more parlticularly, such machines comprise a front beam I supported by frame uprights 2 forming part of superstructures supporting various elements of the machines, s'ucnfas the control shaft 3 and i hand wheel 4,a1so the control rod 5 which need merely to be identified inpassing. In the rear of the beam I is an elevated, constantly driven cam shaft E which is endwise movable .to control various operations of the machine not necessary to enter into herein, with the following exceptions:

The cam shaft 6 has fast thereon a pair of side- 0 by-side, laterally'v spaced cams 1, 8 for effecting Yendwise shifting of said shaft in opposite directions, respectively. Such shifting of the cam shaft from normal position, to the right as viewed in Figures 1,1 2 and 11, shifts knitting cams mounted on the shaft, as at 9, out of action and brings into action narrowing, or picoting, cams mounted on said shaft, as at 9', whereas, movement of the cam shaft 6 tothe left back to normal position shifts said narrowing cams 9' out of action and the knitting cams 9 back into action.

The cams 18, and hence the cam shaft 6, are

shifted under control, primarily, of a chain motion comprising a pattern chain I0 mounted on an intermittently driven sprocket wheel I I, the chain having, aiixed thereto a longitudinal row of spaced-apart narrowing buttons I 2 which, as the chain travels clockwise, as viewed ,in Figures 1, 2 and 11, successively raise a forked yoke I3, pivoted, as at I4, on a fixedy bracket` I5. Raising of the Vyoke I3 removes an upper tine I6 thereof from behind a shoulder I I onthe spindle I8 of a shogging truck, which, when Athus released, is moved Y rearwardly bya suitably connected spring I9 to move a roller 20 on said spindle I8 into cooperative relation to. the cam 1 such that under rotasizes of hosiery, to wit, sizes 81/2, 9, 91/2, 10 and lOl/2. The shaft 6|:is Vformed with longitudinally spaced notches 63 spaced around the same in different angular relation so that when .the wheel 62 is turned and setto select a size with the selected size markinguppermost, certainV of the notches 63 will be disposed directly over certain of the dogs of the series 59, 60 and said dogs thereby selected for release to rock into effective positions into the described abutting` relation to the plates 56, 51: i

A transverse, dog-control shaft 64, journaled in the sides of the carrier 46, underlies the series of dogs V59, 6I)V to the left of the shaft 58 and is provided with a seriesof'longitudinally spaced notches 65, similar 'to notches 63. The shaft 64 is designed for rotation, step by step, to position certain notches 65 at each step of rotation under the series 59, 69 of dogs and thereby permit the same to drop into effective positions. A pair of detent dogs 6B, 61 pivoted on the shaft 58 and engaging notched wheels 68, 69 on the shaftsBI, 64, respectively, prevent over-rotation of said shafts.

The dog-control shaft 64 is rotated step by step, counterclockwise, as viewed in Figures 1 and 5, under reciprocation of the dog carrier 46 by means of a ratchet wheel 16 fast on one end thereof, an upstanding rock arm 1I swingable on said end of said shaft, a ratchet pawl 12 pivoted, as at 13, on said arm, and a push rod 14 pivotally connected to the upper end of said arm and' extending forwardly of the carrier 46 with its other end pivotally connected to an upstanding post 15 onthe beam I.

For reciprocating the dog carrier 46, a pendant lever 16 pivoted at its upper end on the pivot shaft I4, in the lineof the chain I8, is utilized, and which is provided with a cam lug 11 facing said chain I8, and a push rod connection 18 to the carrier 46. A longitudinal row of spaced-apart control buttons 19, similar to the narrowing buttons I2, are provided on said chain I0 Ito successively engage said cam lug 11 and swing the carrier-operating lever 18, clockwise as viewed in Figure 1, lin opposition to a suitably connected lever tensioning spring 88, whereby said carrier 46 is moved forwardly to be returned by said spring when the active button 19 .wipes past said lug 11.

Returning now to the course control and counter 38, in the full cycle position thereof, a bell crank dog 8| pivoted, as at 82, on a fixed post 83, has one end adapted to seat in the notch 45 of the disc 44 so that as soon as said counter begins to operate, said end of said dog is cammed out of said notch and the dog swung clockwise, as viewed in Figure 1. A push rod 84 suitably connected at one end to the other end of said dog 8l has its other end slidably mounted in the guide post 82 and provided with a tappet arm 83 .opposed to the tail end of the ratchet-driving pawl 32, so that when the bell crank dog 8| is swung as described, the tappet arm 83 swings said driving pawl out of driving relation to the ratchet wheel 29 and thereby disables the drive to the chain I9. When the4 notch 45 again registers with the said dog 8l, the latter drops into the notch 45 under the urge of a suitable spring 85 on said rod 84, and the driving pawl 32 is released for eifective operation of the chain drive.

There is a group of three control Vbuttons 19 on the chain I8 spaced close together to function as lone button and nine control buttons 19 following the group, ten ratchet teeth on theratchet wheel 10, and five dogs i'n each series 59, 60.' f desired, the modified elongated button shown in Figure 16 may be used in lieu` of the said group of three. The dogs in the series 59are designated 86, 81, 88, `89, 90, and those of the series 60 are designated!! I,v92, 93, 94, 95.` The first buttons, to wit, said group, as shown at the right in Figure 14, are pla-ced in advance of the main leg-narrowing button I2 of the chain I0, the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth control buttons 19 are placed onthe chain alongside the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth heel-narrowing buttons I2, and the ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth control buttons 19 areplaced onthe chain just after the heelnarrowing buttons. I2, or in short, in the sole.

In the operation of the described invention, the selector shaft 6I is first set to select the size of hosiery to be run, in the manner already described. As soon as a control button 19, or the group above mentioned, engages the cam lug 11 of the lever 16, said lever is operated to move the dog carrier 46 to the left. In the setting of the selector shaft 6I, certain dogs of either or both series are released and drop into effective positions so that under such forward shifting of the dog carrier 46, the plates v56, 51 are engaged by the effective dogs of the series 59, 68 and both rods 48, 49 move to the left. Leftward movement of the counter control rod 48 renders the course and control counter 38 operative vin the manner described to make a complete revolution. Initial operation of the course control and counter 38 disables the driving pawl 32, as we have already seen, and stops thechain drive with one, or the group,of buttons 19 engaged withthe cam lug 11, thus holding the dog carrier 46 forward. As of course will be understood, the group of dogs 19 engages the cam lug 11 successively as well as the other buttons 19. y This stops the chain ID while course knitting isproceeding. Leftward movement of the narrowingcontrol rod 49 blocks, or prevents, raising of the yoke 39 by the narrowing buttons I2, as already described.l During leftward movement of the dog carrier 46, the rocker arm 1I is moved clockwise, as viewed in Figures 1 and 5, to set the pawl 18A for operation of the ratchet wheel 12 and the dog control shaft 64 one step under return shifting, or movement, of said dog carrier. As soon as the disc 44 of the course control and counter38 completes a revolution, the driving ratchet 32 is released, in the manner previously described, the chain I8 is again driven, the group of buttons 19, or a button, wiping past. the cam lug 11 and releasing the lever 16 for return by the spring 80, whereby the dog carrier 46 is returned rightwardly to starting position.V The plates 56, 51 are thus released, also the rods 48, 49, so that the yoke I3 is released in a manner which will now be clear, whereby narrowing is permitted under the control of the narrowing buttons I 2 and the drive to the course control and counter 38 is rendered ineffective, also as previously described. Under return movement of the dog carrier 46, the rocker arm 1I is swung counterclockwise, as viewed in Figure 1, to operate the ratchet wheel 10 and dog control shaft 64 one step of movement under which other dogs, or a dog, of the series 59, 60, as the case may be, are permitted to drop to effeet-ive position for operation against the plates 56, 51 under subsequent leftward movement of theV dog carrier 46. There being ten control buttons 19, counting the group as one, the operations described are repeated ten times during the knitting'of each piece of hosiery. When the dial arene-eo ries areV effective-format atiine, atfdifi'rert-times,

courses willi be inJthelfpredetermined size of stock-ingr lffsaid pawl' .isfrset for 'operation of the,v course: control r 38 through ratchet wheel' 412?, twenty-'four courses will be run in the predeterminedlsizerorsselectedsize orstocking, and isaid p'awl 39' isset :forfoperaiion of 'the course control counter 38 through ratchet wheel 43, thirtyfccurses will berunlin the .predetermined or. selected size 'ora stocking; Thus, the voperation eifected. by'ratchet' wheels 4 Il, 42:, '43: does `not vary when changing to diiierentsizes` of` stockings. The :only 'change eecteclii's instyleaandin varying the' Lniumber of Vcourseslin a predeterminedsize.

The dogs `in tlrevseri'es A"61) are selected andrem @red-effective through set-ting of the dial wheel 62 and during. :each revolution of the :ratchet Whee'lfi' for 'any size stocking :by'causingrthe machine te' omit narrowing: any "one: of these d'o'gsI becornes effective, afs previouslydescribed. Cniy :one dog 11i series 160: is: rendered Aoperative atta time lin `any predetermined or selected size, an'd'eachiis `:rendered. operative for: aI different :size of stocking.

The buttons 19 are arranged on the chain as desired. 'buttons '1,9 spaced 'apart tov act singiy'foeluse the course control :counter 38 to maire afsin'gle revolution. `By placing the'buttons l-t-close together, thersam'e ractyas' one to cause the '-'cours'e @ontrolxcounterrtemperate multiple revolutions .fand the machine to run multiple or successive courses, the number of which isde- .termin'edbytlie riumbernf buttons zaaplaced close together. iWfhen the "buttons 51:9. sare; placed .oppcsiteibuttons: la,nnzthesame'chanflink, lthe buttons 19 act on lug 11 severalirchainracksiinadahcedfnthe buttons t2- rbecaus'e :buttons 119. act fthe' ll'eft sievxf lthe'fsprccket 1: l: justhelow :the Saiis of; irritation thereof, Whereas, :buttons l2 act .at'the' lt'opj of y said sprocket 'about'.ninety .degrees .infadvanceaof. v.lolliftcris 19;

1 -wlllrbe understood, irr `.the type of machine vWitl'i which. this linvention; is. particularly 'concerned, .the sizefof-rtheshosieryissmarked ,or indcatedfthereon, asenfihcidentto;narrowing'operautions-'etlong.theuscleothe hcsiery'an'd by small iniibsformedamng seamY .of fthezsole This 'isccnventionalaand it :is: `therefore'"notfdeemed ln'ecessary Ito -.illustrate theiisam'e. I-Iowever, as will also bei'cle'a'r, sincesinrmyiinvention the sizes of hosiery to be run are predetermined, and the lnarrowinglcperations foreach size, thezsizezmarkinglis:likewiseipredetermined byi settngrof' the seil-ectoridial: Wheel 62 :to ,predeterminethe size to tbe munt.

L1A-1S@;limrillsh'emnderstood :.thenfbyeadding dogs Js'uchJ'-s 88,5189, ithe kntttingofz othensi'zes than `those mentioned may'be predetermined and leg siresineayJoe"raredetermineizl ibyfusingrd'ogsisl 88, 2339", .e'in-Jeg 'Skriitting :as Ivs/tell: asfn rfoot `-knitting.

'llheforegoingwilht isbelieved, sufcetto iminert :a clear understanding: ofsmy ihvent-on'withoutfurtlerexplanfatinn.

Manifestlmthe inventiomas, describeths sus'- reertible Aof"rncdiflcaton ,without departing from 5 fthe .inventiveconcephnnd right is'herei'n reserved Cto Ssuch modcati'ons-ias 'fall within .the scope fective comprising an endwise movable rod, a reciprocating dog carrier, means operative by said chain to move said carrier in one direction, an abutment on said rod, and a dog on said carrier for engaging said abutment.

2. In a knitting machine, the combination with a main cam shaft endwise movable in opposite directions into knitting and narrowing positions, respectively, a pattern chain, a chain drive, means to move said shaft under control of said chain, and course control means normally ineffective, of means to render said course control means effective comprising an endwise movable rod, a reciprocating dog carrier, means operative by said chain to move said carrier in one direction, an abutment on said rod, a dog on said carrier for engaging said abutment, and means operative by said course control means when effective to dis- I able the chain drive.

3. In a hosiery knitting machine, the combination with a main cam shaft endwise movable in opposite directions into knitting and narrowing positions, respectively, a pattern chain, a chain drive, means to move said shaft under control of said chain, and a normally ineffective course control and counter, of means to simultaneously render said counter effective and disable said shaft moving means comprising a reciprocation dog carrier, a pair of rods endwise movable to render said counter effective and disable the shaft moving means, respectively, a pair of abutments on said rods, respectively, means operative by said chain for repeatedly moving the carrier in one direction, two series of dogs on said carrier for engaging said pair of abutments, respectively, in selected numbers under repeated movement of the carrier in said one direction, means to predetermine selection of the number of dogs in accordance with the size of hosiery to be knit, and means to complete selection of the dogs operative under repeated reciprocation of said carrier.

4. In a hosiery knitting machine, the combination with a main cam shaft endwise movable in opposite directions into knitting and narrowing positions, respectively, a pattern chain, a chain drive, means to move said shaft under control of said chain, and a normally ineffective course control and counter, of means to simultaneously render said counter effective and disable said shaft moving means comprising a reciprocation dog carrier, a pair of rods endwise movable to render said counter effective anddisable the shaft moving means, respectively, va pair of abutments on said rods, respectively, means operative by said chain for repeatedly moving the carrier in one direction, two series of dogs on said carrier for engaging said pair of abutments, respectively, in selected numbers under repeated movement of the carrier in said one direction, means to predetermine selection of the number of dogs in accordance with the size of hosiery to be knit, means to complete selection of the dogs operative under repeated reciprocation of said carrier, and means operative by said counter when rendered effective to disable said shaft moving means.

TOM READ RYAN.

REFERENCE S CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES `PATENTS Number Name Date 1,110,322 Gee Sept. 15, 1914 2,169,979 Richter Aug. 15, 1939 2,077,778 Start Apr. 20, 1937 2,214,936 Pingel Sept. 17, 1940 2,324,221 Lunn July 13, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 16,150 Great Britain 1890 469,985 Germany Jan. 3, 1929 483,041 Great Britain Apr. 6, 1938 

